Update on Millennium’s coal export terminal

Back in February 2012, Millennium Bulk Terminals (MBT) submitted its Shorelines permit application for the coal export terminal. The Shorelines permits are needed for the building of the docks and dredging of the berth pocket. After 10 public meetings across the state, MBT is moving into the final stretch of the permitting.

Over twenty local, state and federal permits will be needed. The Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are the documents that inform regulatory agencies of the details of the company’s project and they will use those studies when issuing permits. Following the publication of the Final EIS from the county and the state, Millennium filed the Critical Areas Permit application to Cowlitz County on 22 May 2017. The County is reviewing and processing the application.

The Department of Ecology (ECY) is issuing a public notice regarding MBT-Longview’s request for a Clean Water Act section 401 water quality certification for the proposed Coal Export Terminal. At the agency’s request, MBT has withdrawn and resubmitted our permit application simultaneously using the agency’s form for this purpose. The company has taken this procedural action to accommodate inconsistencies in deadlines between the permitting processes of ECY and the US Army Corps of Engineers. ECY has assured BMT that the state will complete its section 401 review by September 30, 2017, as originally intended, and that this “house-keeping” administrative action will not impact that timing. BMT has indicated it expects the next permit applications to include demolition, grading, and/or operating permits.